Newborns need a lot of soothing, and being held by a parent or loved one is very soothing.” So, go ahead and let your baby snuggle into your chest. Those early weeks aren't the time to worry about sleep training.
So how do you know when it's time to stop allowing baby to fall asleep while you're holding them? “When babies start to intentionally smile at you—around 6 to 8 weeks—this is a sign that it's time to try to start having baby nap independently,” says Brown.
You can't spoil a baby. Contrary to popular myth, it's impossible for parents to hold or respond to a baby too much, child development experts say. Infants need constant attention to give them the foundation to grow emotionally, physically and intellectually.
According to Parents, although holding your baby until they fall sleep should never make you feel like you're spoiling them (there's no such thing as too much affection, after all,) you should be aware that holding them to sleep may make it more difficult for them to fall asleep on their own later in life.
Babies who get constant cuddling tend to sleep better, manage stress more easily and exhibit better autonomic functions, such as heart rate.
The longer you hold your baby, the better. Any amount of time is good, but it is best to try for at least 1 to 2 hours each day.
You cannot cuddle your baby too much. But new parents ask me that all the time because they think that too much cuddles could spoil their baby. Science tells us that cuddles strengthen that bond between parent and baby. The cuddle chemical, oxytocin, floods the brain.
They've just spent the previous nine months being "held" in the womb, so of course they want a cozy place to snooze. Plus, since they're born without a concept of day and night, they need some time to develop sleep patterns on their own.
Babies as young as 4 months old differentiate between a parent's hug and a stranger's, new research finds. Share on Pinterest Research shows that even infants can tell the difference between a stranger's hug and that of a parent.
Since mom herself will be back on her period soon, there's no valid, medically-proven reason that someone's menstrual cycle would cause any harm to a newborn.
Bonding through cuddling, contact and facial expression
This is good for bonding with newborns, because it helps them feel safe. Skin-on-skin contact, like baby massage, can help your baby feel secure. Always use a soothing touch. Look into your baby's eyes and use facial expressions when you speak.
A dark, quiet environment can help encourage your baby to sleep. Put your baby to bed drowsy, but awake. Before your baby gets overtired or cranky, you might try singing soft lullabies or swaddling or massaging him or her. Eventually, your baby will learn that these activities mean it's time to rest.
How often should I cuddle my baby? As often as you can! In the early weeks, you may worry that you do not know what your baby is trying to communicate to you, but very soon you will begin to understand your baby's cries.
Babies who don't experience cuddling have been found to have markedly lower levels of oxytocin and vasopressin. These two hormones are thought to play key roles in stress and social behaviors. Lower levels may explain why these children have difficulties forming attachments in adulthood.
Don't pick up a baby under their arms.
It makes a baby's arms unavailable for self-comfort or support, and it can interfere with their breathing because their ribs are held.
New research points to cuddled children growing up to be healthier, less depressed, kinder, more empathetic, and more productive adults.
If your baby is often dirty after a feed, to avoid the disturbance of having to change their nappy twice, it would be better to change the nappy after the feed. If your baby has reflux, they may vomit if they are moved too much with a full tummy, so you might like to change them before a feed.
Babies recognize their mother's scent even before they are born. Your baby is biologically and genetically programmed to connect to you through your unique smell. The process of development of olfactory cells (cells responsible for the sense of smell) begins as soon as the first trimester of pregnancy.
Self-soothing for babies
Babies cry a lot because it is a method of communication for them. When baby first begins to stay asleep throughout the night, it is because they are learning to self-soothe. Babies typically learn to self-soothe around 6 months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. While room-sharing is safe, putting your infant to sleep in bed with you is not. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths.
Cuddling and bonding actually happen as soon as the baby is born. Many parents feel an immediate bond with their child after cuddling and spending quality with them.
In order to prevent serious health issues, anyone and everyone, including parents, should avoid kissing babies. Due to the rise in cases of RSV and other illnesses, it's extremely important for all individuals to be aware of the dangers of kissing babies.